When you're a famous internet cat like Lil BUB, and you're in town for a short time, what's first on your agenda? Coming by the MTV Geek offices to dish about outer space, tattoos - and do a geektastic photo shoot, natch! Plus: what's it like to have your own book, movie, and TV show? AND what does she think about Miley Cyrus' twerktastic VMA performance hashtag controversial??? All this plus an EXCLUSIVE behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot: Read More...

Satoshi Kon's "Tropic of the Sea" is a classic type of story that pits the traditional ways against the forces of modernization. It's set in a small fishing village where the keepers of the local shrine tend to a very special object: A mermaid egg. According to local tradition, every 60 years, they must return the egg to the sea, and the mermaid will send them a new one to take care of. In return, she protects the town. When a developer arrives with big plans, the traditional ways are threatened—and anyway, 60 years is a long time to keep the faith. The story focuses on three generations of shrine priests, and it has some surprising twists.

As fascinating as this manga is in its own right, it's also a milestone in modern anime and manga history. Kon, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2010 at the age of 46, is best known as the director of the critically acclaimed and award-winning "Paprika," as well as "Millennium Actress" and "Tokyo Godfathers." He started his career as a manga artist, though, and he was the assistant to "Akira" creator Katsuhiro Otomo for a time. "Tropic of the Sea" is his first full-length work.

Originally titled "Kaikisen," "Tropic of the Sea" is a beautiful manga that is drawn in an open, deceptively simple style that's easy for non-manga readers to follow. The story is more than an environmental fable; despite the fact that it is only one volume long, the characters have surprising depth and the story itself goes beyond the usual heroes-vs.-villains tropes. Check out our exclusive 23-page preview, below, to see for yourself.

Read the full preview by clicking below!

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"Voice Over: Seiyuu Academy," which launches in November, is a shoujo manga with all the elements that make shoujo manga great: A plucky heroine, supportive friends, love interests—and an interesting setting, in this case a school where students are training to be voice actors for anime. The creator is Maki Minami, whose name will be familiar to shoujo fans from her earlier manga "S.A." We talked to editor Pancha Diaz about what we can expect from this new series.

The 12-volume "Sailor Moon" series is complete, but that's not quite the end of the story. Kodansha Comics has two volumes of Sailor Moon short stories for us—volume 1 just came out—and we have a special sneak preview for you here at MTV Geek.

This fall brings some real treats for manga readers: A new book of Sailor Moon short stories, a one-shot manga by "Paprika" director Satoshi Kon, an action-packed historical manga set in Viking times, and even a murder mystery. Plus even more "Attack on Titan"! This is a great time to be a manga reader, or to start the habit if you haven't already, because there is such a broad range of stories available. Here are our picks for fall:

This fall, Viz is debuting something a little different—"Sweet Rein," a Christmas-themed shoujo manga by Sakura Tsukuba, who is also the creator of "Penguin Revolution" and "Land of the Blindfolded," both published by DC's now defunct manga imprint CMX.

Since we don't speak Japanese, we talked to Viz editor Nancy Thistlethwaite about Christmas in Japan and what we can expect from "Sweet Rein."

Over the summer, the first copies of Manga: Introduction, Challenges, and Best Practices, a handbook for librarians, teachers, parents, and anyone who just wants to know about manga, started leaking out. Published by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, it is edited by Melinda Beasi, the proprietor of the website Manga Bookshelf, with help from legendary manga editor Carl Horn. The essays are written by well known manga bloggers and critics, including Erica Friedman, Ed Chavez, Shaenon Garrity, Robin Brenner, and Kate Dacey. It's published by Dark Horse and partially supported by a grant from Neil Gaiman's Gaiman Foundation. So many strands of comics gathered together in a single book! The book debuted at the American Library Association Summer Meeting in June and Anime Expo in July; so far, the CBLDF has only been selling it at conventions, and the next opportunity will be New York Comic Con next month. However, the book will be available in comics shops beginning in December.

"Attack on Titan" pits a determined band of teenagers against people-eating giants, but it's much, much more than a battle manga. While there's plenty of giant-killing (and people-eating) action, the story also has a lot of depth, with intrigues, grudges, a great ensemble cast, a bit of mystery, and an enemy that seems to be evolving before everyone's eyes. The sixth volume of the manga comes out this week, and it's as good a time as any to jump aboard. Despite the sometimes awkward artwork, this series has been growing in popularity ever since the anime started coming out in English last spring. Here's what you need to know if you want to jump in with volume 6. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!)

A new Wikia project launches today, offering fans the chance to create stories based on characters designed by some of the Japanese greats in manga, game concepts, and anime. And we've got the first images and character details for the world of "Red Bat" from "Afro Samurai" creator Takashi Okazaki after the jump!

Welcome to round three of 2013's Battle Arena Otaku Fight! Fight!. We're down to the last eight competitors in MTV Geek's annual brawl between the biggest and best in characters from anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture characters. Not only will we get a chance to spotlight some of most interesting, most intriguing, or simply odd characters from 2013, but it's also a chance to you to have your voice heard. You know the drill: we'll present the matchup, and you the reader will get to choose which character comes out on top. So which mech, heroine (or hero), monster, or mascot will come out on top this year?

Can a student witch hunter beat out a superhero with a heart of gold? Or will the 100-second hero take down the scythe-wielding schoolgirl?

Welcome to round three of 2013's Battle Arena Otaku Fight! Fight!. We're down to the last eight competitors in MTV Geek's annual brawl between the biggest and best in characters from anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture characters. Not only will we get a chance to spotlight some of most interesting, most intriguing, or simply odd characters from 2013, but it's also a chance to you to have your voice heard. You know the drill: we'll present the matchup, and you the reader will get to choose which character comes out on top. So which mech, heroine (or hero), monster, or mascot will come out on top this year?

Can the combined might of five lions defeat the combined strength of Disney and Square characters? Or has the defender of the universe finally met his match against the Keyblade master?

Welcome to round three of 2013's Battle Arena Otaku Fight! Fight!. We're down to the last eight competitors in MTV Geek's annual brawl between the biggest and best in characters from anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture characters. Not only will we get a chance to spotlight some of most interesting, most intriguing, or simply odd characters from 2013, but it's also a chance to you to have your voice heard. You know the drill: we'll present the matchup, and you the reader will get to choose which character comes out on top. So which mech, heroine (or hero), monster, or mascot will come out on top this year?

Welcome to round three of 2013's Battle Arena Otaku Fight! Fight!. We're down to the last eight competitors in MTV Geek's annual brawl between the biggest and best in characters from anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture characters. Not only will we get a chance to spotlight some of most interesting, most intriguing, or simply odd characters from 2013, but it's also a chance to you to have your voice heard. You know the drill: we'll present the matchup, and you the reader will get to choose which character comes out on top. So which mech, heroine (or hero), monster, or mascot will come out on top this year?

One is genetically engineered fighting monster perfection while the other is the perfect pirate--who will win?

Welcome to the second round of 2013's Battle Arena Otaku Fight! Fight!. This is MTV Geek's annual brawl between the biggest and best in characters from anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture characters. Not only will we get a chance to spotlight some of most interesting, most intriguing, or simply odd characters from 2013, but it's also a chance to you to have your voice heard. You know the drill: we'll present the matchup, and you the reader will get to choose which character comes out on top. So which mech, heroine (or hero), monster, or mascot will come out on top this year?

Welcome to the second round of 2013's Battle Arena Otaku Fight! Fight!. This is MTV Geek's annual brawl between the biggest and best in characters from anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture characters. Not only will we get a chance to spotlight some of most interesting, most intriguing, or simply odd characters from 2013, but it's also a chance to you to have your voice heard. You know the drill: we'll present the matchup, and you the reader will get to choose which character comes out on top. So which mech, heroine (or hero), monster, or mascot will come out on top this year?